Patent application title: VEHICULAR LAMP

Abstract:

A vehicular headlamp is provided. The vehicular lamp includes a projection
lens disposed on an optical axis of a lamp extending in a longitudinal
direction of a vehicle; a light source disposed on a rear side of a rear
focal point of the projection lens; a reflector that concentrates the
light emitted from the light source on the projection lens; and a shade
disposed such that an upper edge of the shade extends through the
vicinity of the rear focal point to block a part of the light reflected
from the reflector. In plan view, the light source is disposed near the
central axis of the reflector, and the reflector is disposed such that
the central axis of the reflector intersects the optical axis of the lamp
in a vicinity of the projection lens while being inclined toward the own
lane of the vehicle on the front side.

Claims:

1. A vehicular lamp comprising:a projection lens that is disposed on an
optical axis of a lamp extending in a longitudinal direction of a
vehicle;a light source that is disposed on a rear side of a rear focal
point of the projection lens;a reflector that reflects light emitted from
the light source so as to concentrate the light on the projection lens;
anda shade that is disposed such that an upper edge of the shade extends
through the vicinity of the rear focal point so as to block a part of the
light reflected from the reflector,wherein, in plan view, the light
source is disposed near the central axis of the reflector, andwherein, in
plan view, the reflector is disposed such that the central axis of the
reflector intersects the optical axis of the lamp in a vicinity of the
projection lens while being inclined toward the own lane of the vehicle
on the front side.

2. The vehicular lamp according to claim 1,wherein the upper edge of the
shade is curved forwards from a position on the optical axis of the lamp
toward left and right sides of the lamp, andleft and right edges of a
reflecting surface of the reflector extend to a position ahead of the
rear focal point.

3. The vehicular lamp according to claim 1,wherein the central axis of the
reflector and the optical axis of the lamp intersect with each other in a
vicinity of a rear surface of the projection lens.

4. The vehicular lamp according to claim 1,wherein an inclination angle of
the central axis of the reflector toward the own lane is set in a range
of about 5.degree. to about 15.degree..

5. The vehicular lamp according to claim 1,wherein the light source
comprises a light-emitting chip of a light-emitting diode.

Description:

[0001]This application claims priority from Japanese Patent Application
No. 2008-257 045, filed on Oct. 2, 2008, the entire contents of which are
herein incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002]1. Technical Field

[0003]The present disclosure relates to a vehicular lamp that emits light
so as to form a low-beam light distribution pattern, and more
particularly, to a so-called projector type vehicular lamp.

[0004]2. Related Art

[0005]In a projector type vehicular lamp, a projection lens is disposed on
the optical axis of the lamp extending in the longitudinal direction of a
vehicle, a light source is disposed on the rear side of a rear focal
point of the projection lens, and the light emitted from the light source
is reflected by the reflector so as to be concentrated on the projection
lens.

[0006]For example, JP-A-2003-288805 describes a related art projector type
vehicular lamp in which a shade, which blocks a part of the light
reflected from a reflector, is disposed such that the upper edge of the
shade is disposed near the rear focal point of a projection lens, and
thus light is emitted to form a low-beam light distribution pattern.

[0007]In the related art projector type vehicular lamp, if the central
axis of the reflector is moved parallel to the optical axis of the lamp
toward the opposite lane, a position where the light, which is emitted
from the light source and reflected from the reflector, passes through
the rear focal plane of the projection lens may be displaced toward the
opposite lane as a whole as compared to when the central axis of the
reflector is not moved parallel to the optical axis of the lamp.
Accordingly, it may be possible to displace a low-beam light distribution
pattern, which is formed as the reverse image of a light source image
formed on the rear focal plane of the projection lens, toward the own
lane, i.e., the lane in which the vehicle is traveling, as a whole as
compared to when the central axis of the reflector is not moved parallel
to the optical axis of the lamp. Accordingly, it may be possible to form
a hot zone, i.e., an area having a high luminosity, of the low-beam light
distribution pattern at a position that is close to the own lane in the
forward direction of the lamp.

[0008]However, the above-mentioned structure has the following
disadvantages.

[0009]That is, if the light reflected from the reflector enters the
projection lens as a convergent light flux, the incident angle of the
light, which is reflected from the end area of the reflecting surface of
the reflector corresponding to the opposite lane and which enters the
projection lens is significantly large on the front surface of the
projection lens. Thus, the light is totally reflected from the front
surface and is not emitted forward. Accordingly, it is difficult to
effectively use the luminous flux of the light source.

[0010]In this case, the light, which is reflected from the end area of the
reflecting surface of the reflector corresponding to the opposite lane,
becomes the light that forms the diffusion area of the low-beam light
distribution pattern corresponding to the own lane. However, since this
light is not obtained, the diffusion angle of the low-beam light
distribution pattern corresponding to the own lane is decreased.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0011]Exemplary embodiments of the present invention address the above
disadvantages and other disadvantages not described above. However, the
present invention is not required to overcome the disadvantages described
above, and thus, an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may not
overcome any disadvantages described above.

[0012]Accordingly, it is an aspect of the present invention to provide, in
a projector type vehicular lamp adopted to form a low-beam light
distribution pattern, a vehicular lamp that can effectively use the
luminous flux of a light source and form a hot zone of a low-beam light
distribution pattern at a position that is close to the own lane in the
forward direction of the lamp without sacrificing the diffusion angle of
the low-beam light distribution pattern corresponding to the own lane.

[0013]According to one or more exemplary embodiments of the present
invention, there is provided a vehicular lamp. The vehicular lamp
comprises a projection lens that is disposed on an optical axis of a lamp
extending in a longitudinal direction of a vehicle; a light source that
is disposed on a rear side of a rear focal point of the projection lens;
a reflector that reflects light emitted from the light source so as to
concentrate the light on the projection lens; and a shade that is
disposed such that an upper edge of the shade extends through the
vicinity of the rear focal point so as to block a part of the light
reflected from the reflector. In plan view, the light source is disposed
near the central axis of the reflector, and the reflector is disposed
such that the central axis of the reflector intersects the optical axis
of the lamp in a vicinity of the projection lens while being inclined
toward the own lane of the vehicle on the front side.

[0014]Other aspects and advantages of the present invention will be
apparent from the following description, the drawings and the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015]FIG. 1 is a front view of a vehicular lamp according to an exemplary
embodiment of the invention;

[0016]FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the vehicular lamp taken along a
line II-II of FIG. 3A;

[0017]FIG. 3A is a cross-sectional view taken along a line III-III of FIG.
1;

[0018]FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view of a related art vehicular lamp;

[0019]FIG. 4 is a view showing a low-beam light distribution pattern
formed on a virtual vertical screen, which is positioned 25 meters ahead
of a vehicle, by light that is emitted forward from the vehicular lamp;

[0020]FIG. 5A is a view showing a simulation result of the low-beam light
distribution pattern according to the exemplary embodiment of the
invention; and

[0021]FIGS. 5B and 5C are views showing simulation results of a low-beam
light distribution pattern according to the related art.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

[0022]Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be now described
with reference to drawings.

[0023]FIG. 1 is a front view of a vehicular lamp 10 according to an
exemplary embodiment of the invention, and FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional
view of the vehicular lamp 10. Furthermore, FIG. 3A is a schematic
cross-sectional view of the vehicular lamp 10, taken along a line III-III
of FIG. 1. Meanwhile, FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along a line
II-II of FIG. 3A.

[0024]As shown in FIGS. 1-3, the vehicular lamp 10 is formed as a
projector type lamp that emits light so as to form a low-beam light
distribution pattern. The vehicular lamp 10 is tiltably supported by a
lamp body (not shown) or the like as a part of a headlamp.

[0025]The vehicular lamp 10 includes: a projection lens 12 that is
disposed on an optical axis Ax of the lamp extending in the longitudinal
direction of a vehicle; a light source 14a that is disposed on the rear
side of a rear focal point F of the projection lens 12; a reflector 16
that reflects the light emitted from the light source 14a so as to
concentrate the light on the projection lens 12; a shade 18 that blocks a
part of the light reflected from the reflector 16; and a holder 20 that
supports these components.

[0026]Furthermore, the vehicular lamp 10 is disposed such that the optical
axis Ax of the vehicular lamp 10 is inclined downward with respect to the
longitudinal direction of a vehicle by an angle of about 0.5 to
0.6° when the vehicular lamp is assembled as a part of a headlamp.

[0027]The projection lens 12 is formed of a plane-convex aspherical lens
that has a convex front surface 12a and a flat rear surface 12b. The
projection lens 12 is configured to project a light source image, which
is formed on a rear focal plane of the projection lens 12 (that is, a
focal plane including a rear focal point F), on a virtual vertical screen
that is formed ahead of the lamp, as a reverse image.

[0028]The light source 14a is a light-emitting chip of a white
light-emitting diode 14. The light source 14a includes a rectangular
light-emitting surface, and is supported by a substrate 14b. Furthermore,
the white light-emitting diode 14 is fixed to the holder 20 such that the
light-emitting surface of the light source 14a faces vertically upwards.
In this case, the light source 14a is disposed at a position that is
displaced toward an opposite lane with respect to the optical axis Ax of
the lamp (that is, the right side (left side as seen from the front side
of the lamp)).

[0029]The reflector 16 is disposed above the light source 14a so as to
cover the light source 14a and formed in the shape of a substantially
half dome. The lower edge of the reflector 16 is fixed to the holder 20.
The reflector 16 is disposed such that a central axis Ax1 of the
reflector 16 intersects the optical axis Ax of the lamp in the vicinity
of the rear surface 12b of the projection lens 12 while being inclined
toward an own lane (that is, left side) on the front side.

[0030]In this case, the inclination angle of the central axis Ax1 of the
reflector 16 toward the own lane is set to about 7°. The central
axis Ax1 extends in a plane that includes the optical axis Ax of the
lamp. Furthermore, the light source 14a is disposed on the central axis
Ax1.

[0031]A reflecting surface 16a of the reflector 16 is formed of a
substantially elliptical curved surface whose major axis is concentric
with the central axis Ax1 and whose first focal point corresponds to the
emission center of the light source 14a, and the eccentricity thereof is
gradually increased from a vertical cross section toward a horizontal
cross section. Further, in the vertical cross section, the reflecting
surface 16a is formed so as to make the light, which is emitted from the
light source 14a, converge slightly ahead of the rear focal point F of
the projection lens 12. Also, in the horizontal cross section, the
reflecting surface 16a is formed so as to considerably displace the
convergence position to the front side (specifically, the front side of
the rear surface 12b of the projection lens 12) from the rear focal point
F.

[0032]Accordingly, the reflector 16 makes the light, which is emitted from
the light source 14a and reflected from the reflecting surface 16a, enter
the projection lens 12 as divergent light flux in the vertical direction.
Furthermore, the reflector makes the light enter the projection lens 12
as a convergent light flux in the horizontal direction.

[0033]The reflector 16 is formed such that both (left and right) edges of
the reflecting surface 16a of the reflector 16 extend up to a position
positioned ahead of the rear focal point F of the projection lens 12.

[0034]The shade 18 is disposed such that the upper edge 18a of the shade
18 passes through the rear focal point F. In this case, the upper edge
18a is curved forward from a position on the optical axis Ax of the lamp
toward both (left and right) sides. Furthermore, a left area of the upper
edge 18a, which is positioned on the left side of the optical axis Ax,
extends in a horizontal plane including the optical axis Ax. Furthermore,
a right area of the upper edge 18a, which is positioned on the right side
of the optical axis Ax, extends in a horizontal plane that is lower than
the left area through a short slope. A lower end of the shade 18 is fixed
to the holder 20.

[0035]FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a low-beam light distribution
pattern PL formed on a virtual vertical screen, which is positioned 25
meters ahead of a vehicle, by light that is emitted forward from the
vehicular lamp 10.

[0036]As shown in FIG. 4, the low-beam light distribution pattern PL is a
low-beam light distribution pattern for left light distribution. The
low-beam light distribution pattern PL has cut-off lines CL1 and CL2,
which are different from each other on the left and right sides, at the
upper edge thereof.

[0037]The cut-off lines CL1 and CL2 extend in a horizontal direction so as
to be different from each other on the left and right sides of a V-V line
that is a vertical line passing through the point H-V, that is, a
vanishing point in the forward direction of the lamp. The right portion
of the low-beam light distribution pattern PL with respect to the V-V
line is formed to extend in the horizontal direction as the cut-off line
CL1 corresponding to the opposite lane, and the left portion of the
low-beam light distribution pattern PL with respect to the V-V line is
formed to extend in the horizontal direction as the cut-off line CL2
corresponding to the own lane. The cut-off line CL2 corresponding to the
own lane is higher than the cut-off line CL1 corresponding to the
opposite lane.

[0038]In the low-beam light distribution pattern PL, an elbow point E,
which is an intersection between the low cut-off line CL1 and the V-V
line, is positioned below the point H-V by an angle of about 0.5 to
0.6°. This is because the optical axis Ax of the lamp extends
downward with respect to the longitudinal direction of a vehicle by about
0.5 to 0.6°. Furthermore, a hot zone HZ, which is an area having
high luminosity, is formed near the left portion on the low-beam light
distribution pattern PL so as to surround the elbow point E.

[0039]The low-beam light distribution pattern PL is formed by projecting
the image of the light source 14a on the virtual vertical screen as a
reverse projection image through the projection lens 12. The image of the
light source 14a is formed on the rear focal plane of the projection lens
12 by the light that is emitted from the light source 14a and reflected
from the reflector 16. The cut-off lines CL1 and CL2 are formed as the
reverse projection images of the upper edge 18a of the shade 18.

[0040]In this case, the central axis Ax1 of the reflector 16 is inclined
toward the own lane on the front side and intersects the optical axis Ax
of the lamp in the vicinity of the projection lens 12. Accordingly, the
central axis Ax1 of the reflector 16 intersects the rear focal plane of
the projection lens 12 on the side that is closer to the opposite lane
than the optical axis Ax of the lamp. Accordingly, a position where the
light, which is emitted from the light source 14a and reflected from the
reflector 16, passes through the rear focal plane of the projection lens
12 is displaced toward the opposite lane as a whole, as compared to when
the central axis Ax1 of the reflector 16 corresponds to the optical axis
Ax of the lamp. Accordingly, the low-beam light distribution pattern PL,
which is formed as the reverse image of the light source image formed on
the rear focal plane of the projection lens 12, is displaced toward the
own lane as a whole as compared to when the central axis Ax1 of the
reflector 16 corresponds to the optical axis Ax of the lamp (the outline
of the reflector 16 is shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 3A).
Accordingly, the hot zone HZ of the low-beam light distribution pattern
PL is also formed around a position that is closer to the own lane than
the elbow point E.

[0041]FIG. 5A is a view showing a simulation result of the low-beam light
distribution pattern PL according to the exemplary embodiment of the
invention.

[0042]FIG. 5B is a view showing a simulation result of a low-beam light
distribution pattern PL0, which is formed when the central axis Ax1 of
the reflector 16 and the light source 14a correspond to the optical axis
Ax of the lamp (that is, when the reflector 16 is positioned at a
position shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 3B).

[0043]Further, FIG. 5C is a view showing a simulation result of a low-beam
light distribution pattern PL1, which is formed when the central axis Ax1
of the reflector 16 and the light source 14a are moved parallel to the
optical axis Ax of the lamp toward the opposite lane (that is, when the
reflector 16 is positioned at a position shown by a solid line in FIG.
3B). In this case, the moving distance of the reflector 16, which is
moved parallel to the optical axis of the lamp toward the opposite lane
in FIG. 3B, is set to the same distance as the lateral displacement of
the position, where the central axis Ax1 of the reflector 16 intersects
the shade 18, from the optical axis Ax of the lamp in FIG. 3A.

[0044]When the central axis Ax1 of the reflector 16 corresponds to the
optical axis Ax of the lamp, the low-beam light distribution pattern PL0
is substantially equally diffused toward both (left and right) sides of
the V-V line as shown in FIG. 5B. The hot zone HZ0 of the low-beam light
distribution pattern PL0 is formed substantially around the elbow point
E.

[0045]In contrast, as shown in FIG. 5A, according to this exemplary
embodiment, the low-beam light distribution pattern PL is a light
distribution pattern that is formed by displacing the entire low-beam
light distribution pattern PL0 toward the own lane. The hot zone HZ of
the low-beam light distribution pattern PL is formed around a position
that is closer to the own lane than the V-V line. In this case, since the
position of the shade 18 is constant, the elbow point E is positioned on
the V-V line.

[0046]On the other hand, when the central axis Ax1 of the reflector 16 is
moved parallel to the optical axis Ax of the lamp toward the opposite
lane, as shown in FIG. 5C, the low-beam light distribution pattern PL1 is
a light distribution pattern that is displaced toward the own lane while
the left and right diffusion angles of the low-beam light distribution
pattern PL0 are decreased (that is, a light distribution pattern PL1 that
is formed by decreasing the left and right diffusion angles of the
low-beam light distribution pattern PL). The hot zone HZ1 of the low-beam
light distribution pattern PL1 is also formed around a position that is
closer to the own lane than the V-V line, and the elbow point E is
positioned on the V-V line.

[0047]The reason why the diffusion angle of the low-beam light
distribution pattern PL1 corresponding to the own lane is set to be
smaller than the diffusion angle of the low-beam light distribution
pattern PL corresponding to the own lane is as follows.

[0048]That is, as shown in FIG. 3B, the light, which is reflected from the
end area of the reflecting surface 16a of the reflector 16 corresponding
to the opposite lane and enters the projection lens 12, becomes the light
that forms the diffusion area of the low-beam light distribution pattern
PL1 corresponding to the own lane. However, since the incident angle of
the light is significantly large when the light reaches the front surface
12a of the projection lens 12, the light is totally reflected from the
front surface 12a and is not emitted forward. For this reason, the light,
which forms the diffusion area of the low-beam light distribution pattern
PL1 corresponding to the own lane, is not obtained, and the diffusion
angle thereof corresponding to the own lane is small.

[0049]As described above, the vehicular lamp 10 according to this
exemplary embodiment is a projector type lamp including the shade 18 and
is configured to form the low-beam light distribution pattern PL. The
light source 14a of the vehicular lamp 10 is disposed near the central
axis Ax1 of the reflector 16 in plan view. However, the reflector 16 is
disposed such that the central axis Ax1 of the reflector 16 intersects
the optical axis Ax of the lamp in the vicinity of the projection lens 12
while being inclined toward the own lane on the front side.

[0050]According to this configuration, the central axis Ax1 of the
reflector 16 is inclined toward the own lane on the front side and
intersects the optical axis Ax of the lamp in the vicinity of the
projection lens 12. Accordingly, the central axis Ax1 of the reflector 16
intersects the rear focal plane of the projection lens 12 on the side
that is closer to the opposite lane than the optical axis Ax of the lamp.
Accordingly, a position where the light, which is emitted from the light
source 14a and reflected from the reflector 16, passes through the rear
focal plane of the projection lens 12 is displaced toward the opposite
lane as a whole as compared to when the central axis Ax1 of the reflector
16 corresponds to the optical axis Ax of the lamp. Accordingly, the
low-beam light distribution pattern PL, which is formed as the reverse
image of the light source image formed on the rear focal plane of the
projection lens 12, is displaced toward the own lane as a whole as
compared to when the central axis Ax1 of the reflector 16 corresponds to
the optical axis Ax of the lamp. Accordingly, the hot zone HZ of the
low-beam light distribution pattern PL is formed around a position that
is closer to the own lane in the forward direction of the lamp.

[0051]In this case, since the central axis Ax1 of the reflector 16
intersects the optical axis Ax of the lamp in the vicinity of the
projection lens 12, a position where the light, which is reflected from
the reflector 16 and enters the projection lens 12, reaches the front
surface 12a is in the range that is relatively close to the optical axis
Ax of the lamp. Thus, even when the light reflected from the reflector 16
enters the projection lens 12 as a convergent light flux, the incident
angle of the light, which is reflected from the end area of the
reflecting surface 16a of the reflector 16 corresponding to the opposite
lane and enters the projection lens 12, may be suppressed on the front
surface 12a of the projection lens 12 at a value smaller than that in the
related art where the central axis Ax1 of the reflector 16 is moved
parallel to the optical axis of the lamp toward the opposite lane.
Accordingly, all or most of the light, which is reflected from the
reflector 16 and enters the projection lens 12, may be emitted forward
without being totally reflected from the front surface 12a.

[0052]Therefore, it may be possible to effectively use the luminous flux
of a light source. Furthermore, the light, which is reflected from the
end area of the reflecting surface 16a of the reflector 16 corresponding
to the opposite lane, becomes the light that forms the diffusion area of
the low-beam light distribution pattern PL corresponding to the own lane.
However, since all or most of the light is emitted forward without being
totally reflected from the front surface 12a of the projection lens 12,
it may be possible to prevent a decrease in diffusion angle of the
low-beam light distribution pattern PL, which corresponds to the own
lane.

[0053]According to this exemplary embodiment, in the projector type
vehicular lamp 10 that is configured to form the low-beam light
distribution pattern PL, it is possible to effectively use the luminous
flux of a light source and to form the hot zone HZ of the low-beam light
distribution pattern at a position that is close to the own lane in the
forward direction of the lamp, without the sacrifice of the diffusion
angle of the low-beam light distribution pattern PL corresponding to the
own lane.

[0054]In particular, in this exemplary embodiment, the light source 14a is
formed of a light-emitting chip of the light-emitting diode 14 whose the
luminous flux is significantly smaller than the luminous flux of a
discharge light emitter of a discharge bulb, a filament of a halogen
bulb, or the like. Accordingly, it is particularly advantageous to employ
the structure of this exemplary embodiment.

[0055]In addition, in this exemplary embodiment, the upper edge 18a of the
shade 18 is curved forwards from a position on the optical axis Ax of the
lamp toward both (left and right) sides. Accordingly, the upper edge 18a
is disposed to extend substantially along the rear focal plane of the
projection lens 12. Therefore, it is possible to clearly form the cut-off
lines CL1 and CL2 up to both (left and right) edges of the cut-off lines.

[0056]In this case, the reflector 16 of the vehicular lamp 10 according to
this exemplary embodiment is formed such that both (left and right) edges
of the reflecting surface 16a of the reflector extend up to a position
ahead of the rear focal point F of the projection lens 12. Accordingly,
more light, which is reflected from the reflector 16, passes through the
vicinity of the upper edge 18a of the shade 18, and enters the projection
lens 12, may be secured at positions that are distant from the optical
axis Ax of the lamp toward both (left and right) sides. Therefore, it is
possible to make the portions of the left and right diffusion areas of
the low-beam light distribution pattern PL, which are positioned below
the cut-off lines CL1 and CL2, be brighter.

[0057]Furthermore, in this exemplary embodiment, the specific intersection
between the central axis Ax1 of the reflector 16 and the optical axis Ax
of the lamp is set in the vicinity of the rear surface 12b of the
projection lens 12. Accordingly, a position where the light, which is
reflected from the reflector 16 and enters the projection lens 12,
reaches the front surface 12a is in the range that is closer to the
optical axis Ax of the lamp. As a result, it is possible to more reliably
emit the light, which reaches the front surface 12a of the projection
lens 12, forward without totally reflecting the light.

[0058]In addition, in this exemplary embodiment, the inclination angle of
the central axis Ax1 of the reflector 16 toward the own lane is set to
about 7°. Accordingly, it is possible to form the hot zone HZ of
the low-beam light distribution pattern PL at a position that is close to
the own lane in the forward direction of the lamp, that is, at a position
where distant visibility is preferably secured.

[0059]In the above-mentioned exemplary embodiment, the inclination angle
of the central axis Ax1 of the reflector 16 toward the own lane has been
set to about 7°. However, if the inclination angle is set in the
range of about 5° to about 15°, it is possible to obtain
substantially the same advantages as this exemplary embodiment.

[0060]Furthermore, in the above-mentioned exemplary embodiment, the light
source 14a has been described as a light-emitting chip of the white
light-emitting diode 14, and has been disposed such that the
light-emitting surface of the light source 14a faces vertically upwards.
However, even if the light source is disposed in a different direction,
it is possible to obtain substantially the same advantages as this
exemplary embodiment.

[0061]It is noted that the specific structure of the shade is not
particularly limited as long as the "shade" is disposed so that the upper
edge of the shade passes through the vicinity of the rear focal point of
the projection lens and is adopted to block a part of the light reflected
from the reflector.

[0062]The type of the "light source" is not particularly limited. For
example, a discharge light emitter of a discharge bulb, a filament of a
halogen bulb, and a light-emitting chip of a light-emitting diode may be
employed as the light source. Furthermore, as long as the "light source"
is disposed near the central axis of the reflector in plan view, the
light source does not necessarily need to be disposed near the central
axis of the reflector in side view.

[0063]Moreover, the specific value of the inclination angle of the central
axis of the reflector toward the own lane, a specific intersection of the
optical axis of the lamp, and the like are not particularly limited, as
long as the "reflector" is disposed so that the central axis of the
reflector intersects the optical axis of the lamp in the vicinity of the
projection lens while being inclined toward the own lane on the front
side. In this case, as long as the "central axis" intersects the optical
axis of the lamp in plan view, the central axis does not necessarily need
to intersect the optical axis of the lamp in side view.

[0064]As described above, the vehicular lamp according to exemplary
embodiments of the invention is a projector type lamp including a shade,
and can form a low-beam light distribution pattern. The light source of
the vehicular lamp is disposed near the central axis of the reflector in
plan view. However, since the reflector is disposed so that the central
axis of the reflector intersects the optical axis of the lamp in the
vicinity of the projection lens while being inclined toward the own lane
on the front side, it may be possible to obtain the following advantages.

[0065]That is, the central axis of the reflector is inclined toward the
own lane on the front side and intersects the optical axis of the lamp in
the vicinity of the projection lens. Accordingly, the central axis of the
reflector intersects the rear focal plane of the projection lens on the
side that is closer to the opposite lane than the optical axis of the
lamp. Thus, a position where the light, which is emitted from the light
source and reflected from the reflector, passes through the rear focal
plane of the projection lens is displaced toward the opposite lane as a
whole as compared to when the central axis of the reflector corresponds
to the optical axis of the lamp. Accordingly, the low-beam light
distribution pattern, which is formed as the reverse image of the light
source image formed on the rear focal plane of the projection lens, is
displaced toward the own lane as a whole as compared to when the central
axis of the reflector corresponds to the optical axis of the lamp.
Accordingly, the hot zone of the low-beam light distribution pattern is
formed around a position that is closer to the own lane in the forward
direction of the lamp.

[0066]In this case, since the central axis of the reflector intersects the
optical axis of the lamp in the vicinity of the projection lens, a
position where the light, which is reflected from the reflector and
enters the projection lens, reaches the front surface is in the range
that is relatively close to the optical axis of the lamp. Thus, even when
the light reflected from the reflector enters the projection lens as
convergent light flux, the incident angle of the light when the light,
which is reflected from the end area of the reflecting surface of the
reflector corresponding to the opposite lane and enters the projection
lens, reaches the front surface of the projection lens may be suppressed
at a value smaller than that when the central axis of the reflector is
moved parallel to the optical axis of the lamp toward the opposite lane
like in the related art. Accordingly, all or most of the light, which is
reflected from the reflector and enters the projection lens, may be
emitted forward without being totally reflected from the front surface.

[0067]Accordingly, it is possible to effectively use the luminous flux of
a light source. Furthermore, the light, which is reflected from the end
area of the reflecting surface of the reflector corresponding to the
opposite lane, becomes the light that forms the diffusion area of the
low-beam light distribution pattern corresponding to the own lane.
However, since all or most of the light is emitted forward without being
totally reflected from the front surface of the projection lens, it is
possible to prevent the diffusion angle of the low-beam light
distribution pattern, which corresponds to the own lane, from being
decreased.

[0068]According to exemplary embodiments of the invention, in the
projector type vehicular lamp that is adapted to form the low-beam light
distribution pattern, it is possible to effectively use the luminous flux
of a light source and to form the hot zone of the low-beam light
distribution pattern at a position that is close to the own lane in the
forward direction of the lamp, without the sacrifice of the diffusion
angle of the low-beam light distribution pattern corresponding to the own
lane.

[0069]In the above-mentioned structure, if the upper edge of the shade is
formed to be curved forwards from a position on the optical axis of the
lamp toward both (left and right) sides, the upper edge of the shade
extends substantially along the rear focal plane of the projection lens.
Accordingly, it is possible to clearly form the cut-off lines up to the
both (left and right) edges of the cut-off lines.

[0070]In this case, if both (left and right) edges of the reflecting
surface of the reflector are formed to extend up to a position positioned
ahead of the rear focal point of the projection lens, it is possible to
secure more light, which is reflected from the reflector, passes through
the vicinity of the upper edge of the shade, and enters the projection
lens, at positions that are distant from the optical axis of the lamp
toward both (left and right) sides. Therefore, it is possible to make the
portions of the left and right diffusion areas of the low-beam light
distribution pattern, which are positioned near the lower portion of the
cut-off lines, be brighter.

[0071]In the above-mentioned structure, the specific intersection between
the central axis of the reflector and the optical axis of the lamp is not
particularly limited as described above. However, if the intersection is
set in the vicinity of the rear surface of the projection lens, a
position where the light, which is reflected from the reflector and
enters the projection lens, reaches the front surface is in a range that
is closer to the optical axis of the lamp. As a result, it is possible to
more reliably emit the light, which reaches the front surface of the
projection lens, forward without totally reflecting the light.

[0072]In the above-mentioned structure, the inclination angle of the
central axis of the reflector toward the own lane is not particularly
limited as described above. However, if the inclination angle is set to a
value in the range of about 5 to 15°, it is possible to form the
hot zone of the low-beam light distribution pattern at a position that is
close to the own lane in the forward direction of the lamp, that is, at a
position where distant visibility is preferably secured.

[0073]In the above-mentioned structure, if the light source is a
light-emitting chip of a light-emitting diode, the luminous flux of the
light source is significantly smaller than the luminous flux of a
discharge light emitter of a discharge bulb, a filament of a halogen
bulb, or the like. Accordingly, it is particularly effective to employ
the structure according to exemplary embodiments of the invention.

[0074]While the present invention has been shown and described with
reference to certain exemplary embodiments thereof, other implementations
are within the scope of the claims. It will be understood by those
skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made
therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as
defined by the appended claims.